Page:Angna Enters - Among the Daughters.djvu/377

 "I am changing the hooks on this last costume. That girl from Ilona's who came to help sewed them all on backwards."

"You shouldn't strain your eyes on things like that," scolded Lucy. "Cleo's friend who works at Brooks will help us the whole week before the show and she'll dress the girls too."

"I always think the costumes fit better when I do them myself. I like the hooks and eyes to be just right."

"Isn't she wonderful?" Lucy said later to Vida when they were alone going over the budget. "She would make a terrific costume designer I always tell her. It bothers me that she doesn't have any interest but me. That's why I'm glad she has Aunt Mabel to go to in case anything happened to me."

"For someone about to have an exciting debut as a concert artist I don't think much of your frame of mind," Vida said unsympathetically.

"I can't help it. I keep thinking something awful is going to happen."

"Nothing is going to happen. That's superstitious nonsense."

"I tell myself that—if only I could be sure I am doing the right thing."

"Who is ever sure of anything? No, I take that back. Ilona. She knows. No matter what else happens, the Laurencin ballet is sure to be a success. The way you have trained the girls—if they heard your voice in their sleep they would react like Pavlov's dogs. The 'muscular reflexes' Ilona is now talking about."

Lucy laughed. "I know I'm a Madame Legree. I'm like Mother, everything has to be just right. I'm proud of them though. I hope I'll be as good as they are. I rehearse them more than myself."

"You'll be wonderful, wait and see!"

"I hope so—but what worries me is—then what?"

The Wednesday before the Sunday night concert, tempers were so short Lucy suggested they all take a rest for that afternoon and evening.

Only four more days and then it will be over and I can do something about my condition, Vida thought when alone in her room. Then I'll ask Lucy because none of those things I've tried seem to work and it is beginning to show though I still can't believe it is happening to me. When I awake in the morning I always think it a dream and then I remember it is true. I dread telling her. It would Rh